1. Meat. It does a body good. Celebrate Canada’s birthday and the fortitude of your intestinal tract when Mamie Taylor’s (251 East Georgia St.) hosts RibFest July 1. The eighth annual barbecue competition brings together grill gurus from restaurants across the city to vie for meat-searing supremacy. Mamie Taylor’s chef Tobias Grignon fires up the outdoor grills at 4 p.m. and welcomes competitors Sarah Stewart (Juniper), Jeff MacIntosh (Dixie’s BBQ), last year’s winner Devin Blaney (Peckinpah) and Michael Kaisaris (Re-Up BBQ). One hundred judging tickets will be available to the public for $10 at the door, and there will be plenty of barbecued delights on offer for those in a less judgmental mood. mamietaylors.ca.
2. Aenigma Theatre presents John Logan’s Red July 4 to 16 at Little Mountain Gallery. The provocative play follows American abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko as he battles his demons and explores the notion of good vs. bad art. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com or at the door.
3. Dearly beloved, the Rio Theatre has heard your doves cry and will screen a double-shot of Prince July 1 with Purple Rain (7:30 p.m.) and Under the Cherry Moon (9:45 p.m.) Purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka. Details at riotheatre.ca.
4. Described as equal parts Bill Withers and Nat King, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Gregory Porter performs July 2 at the Vogue Theatre as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Bruno Herbert Trio rounds out the bill. Details at coastaljazz.ca.
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